The Jane, New York, USA

A budget hotel in New York usually means scrimping on style, but not at The Jane, with its seafaring-style decor modelled on ships' cabins – it was originally a hotel for sailors before becoming a rock'n'roll pad in the 80s and 90s. The rooms come in three sizes: singles, bunks and doubles, they're titchy but perfectly formed with bags of character (vintage-style wallpapers, brass fittings) and techy stuff, and it's in the West Village, near the Meatpacking District.•+1 212 924 6700, thejanenyc.com. Bunk bed rooms for two from £70

The Belmont, Dallas, USA

Belmont Hotel, Dallas

Restored to its full 1940s art-moderne glory, this kitsch, retro motel bounces with an air of loving pastiche. Yet the terrace bar pulls off modern cool with its grade-A views out over the Dallas skyline and local bands play poolside gigs during the summer. Rooms are mini-galleries, showcasing Texas artists above the headboards, while the outdoor hot tub and native garden have early-evening relaxing written all over them.•+1 214 393 2300, belmontdallas.com. Doubles from £80

The Burrard Hotel, Vancouver, Canada

Clearly designed by a hipster Fonzie, this 1950s motel in Vancouver's downtown has been given a thoroughly modern makeover with a retro-licious flavour. The list of in-room amenities (free Wi-Fi, HDTVs with free premium and movie channels, plus Nespresso machines) rivals any five-star and the (albeit bijou) bathrooms are well-stocked. The sun-trap patio has bubblegum-shade chairs and you can borrow one of the Brooklyn Cruiser bikes from reception to freewheel around nearby Stanley Park.• +1 604 681 2331, theburrard.com. Doubles from £82

El Secreto de Pozos, Mineral de Pozos, Mexico

In a wild desert town straight out of the movies, this tiny arty retreat offers tranquillity, with three cool, simple rooms featuring exposed beams and terraces, and gardens of sculpture behind white walls separating it from the square. It's attached to an art gallery with exhibitions by Mexican and US artists, and is well placed for exploring the Central Highlands' other art towns, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende.• +52 442 293 0200, elsecretomexico.com. Doubles from £50

CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Sea-U Guesthouse, Barbados

A place to soak up the sun, in a deckchair on your porch with a beer in hand, overlooking beautiful tropical gardens and out to sea … that's this Bajan-style retreat, which has been created by a German travel writer. Palm trees are slung with hammocks in the garden, breakfast features coconut and banana bread, the Bathsheba beaches are a stroll away. Surf or yoga lessons are available, along with Bajan meals served in a breezy gazebo. Rooms are grey wood panelling, with rattan chairs and tropical prints.•+1 246 433 9450, seaubarbados.com, Studios from £93, if you book four nights or more online

Hotel Cirilo, Antigua, Guatemala

Cirilo is 15 minutes' walk from the centre of this colonial gem of a city, has a luscious garden and emerald pool in the shadow of the walls of an 18th-century church. There are six low-lit rooms and a suite, some featuring parts of the old walls – and the staff are wonderfully helpful.• +502 7832 6650, hotelcirilo.com. Doubles from £80 B&B

SOUTH AMERICA

Butterfly House, Maraú, Bahia, Brazil

Chloe, the young English owner of the Butterfly House, allegedly ended up here by sticking a pin in a map. Good choice – this stretch of Bahia, north-east Brazil, has mile upon mile of gorgeous palm-tree-fringed beach to play on, and Maraú has that whole deserted tropical paradise thing going on. This pousada has three suites, all beautifully designed with in-laid Moroccan tiles and a liberal use of bamboo, plus five bungalows with small verandas and outside showers, spread over the spacious grounds. And there's a restaurant, bar, pool and beautiful gazebo set in tropical gardens. In the morning, steaming pão de queijo (cheese breads) and hot coffee appear on your veranda as if by magic. •hiddenpousadasbrazil.com. Doubles from £73 B&B

L'Hotel Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Beyond a shady courtyard draped with 50-year-old vines lies a hidden garden, where an inviting pool sits between ivy-covered walls and clusters of pot plants. In the 24 guestrooms that surround it, there's a French theme, as the name suggests, with much of the white-wood and wrought-iron furnishings coming straight out of a Provençal country house. There's a giant brick barbecue along with a roof terrace that offers up views over the buzzing Palermo Soho neighbourhood – so you're firmly planted in the Argentinian capital – and with a perfect location to boot. •+54 11 4831 7198, lhotelpalermo.com. Doubles from £83 (low season), £94 (high season)

Las Olas, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Photograph: Anna Batchelor

Fancy spending a night in a giant sculpture? Las Olas is a magical retreat on a hillside above the shores of Lake Titicaca and Copacabana beach, with seven suites in their own two-floor buildings shaped like eggs, beehives or fairytale towers, with stained glass windows, circular beds in alcoves, and shell-like spiral staircases – all of which have been created by German sculptor and owner Martin Stratker. Each has its own kitchen and garden with hammocks. One has a bed on a platform reached by a rope ladder, another an indoor water feature. It's an incredibly creative place, with a great cafe too.•+591 2862 2112, hostallasolas.com. Doubles from £28

Mansion del Rio, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Built by a British businessman in 1926, this lavishly-decorated villa, is in the gateway city for the Galápagos and overlooking the Guayas river. It was restored and turned into a boutique hotel in 2007 but is like travelling back a century – while being able to drag all the mod cons with you. European art, opulent chandeliers and antique furniture cover every inch of the building.•+593 4 256 6044, mansiondelrio-ec.com. Doubles from £80

Hacienda Venecia, Manizales, Colombia

Photograph: Jane Sweeney/Getty

Deep within Colombia's world heritage-listed coffee triangle, 20 minutes from the town of Manizales, Hacienda Venecia is a family-run coffee plantation, which opened its doors to visitors three years ago. At the 100-year-old colonial-style main house, old world elegance is the order of the day. Each of the six rooms is filled with vintage furniture, hummingbirds hover on the veranda, peacocks strut around the pool and the coffee, sublime of course, is free flowing. The hacienda also offers excellent tours of the farm.• +57 320 636 5719, haciendavenecia.com. Doubles from £73